Dispersing method



Aug. 16, 1938 e. E. GRINDROD DISPERS ING METHOD Filed 001:. 9, 1936 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Zmnentor (Ittomegs Aug. 16, 1938. e. E. GRINDROD D ISPERSING METHOD Filed Oct. 9. 1936 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 (Ittornegs Patented Aug. 16, 1938 UNITED ,STATES PATENT OFFICE 9 Claims.

My invention relates to improvements in methods for the dispersion and recombination of materials, including means for the production of emulsions, colloids, and chemical compounds.

i The primary object of my invention is to provide means whereby materials can be more effectively and completely dispersed and the dispersion carried to a finer degree of sub-division than has heretofore been thought possible, and

| whereby the production of colloids may be facilitated, the production of new colloids and colloids having new characteristics made possible, and new fields opened for the dispersion and recombination of substances and elementary materials.

More particularly stated, my objects are to develop kinetic energy by expansion of anelastic fluid under constant entropy and utilize such energy to not only subject dispersible material to shearing, abrading and impactive contacts of the particles, but to also impart velocities to measured quantities of the material far beyond the velocities obtainable by means of homogenizers or mechanical agencies of any description, whereby particles of such material may be impacted to accomplish the degree of dispersion aforesaid, and whereby different materials may be dispersed in the presence of each other to increase their miscibility, produce new colloids, emulsions, or obtain increased activity in chemical reaction and combination.

I have discovered that it is possible, by an adiabatic expansion of steam under certain conditions, to impart to the material to be dispersed a velocity five or ten. times as high as any 5. velocity obtainable by mechanical means. The

' energy carried varies as the square of the velocity,

and the dispersive effects obtainable are, to a considerable extent, entirely novel. 1

There are certain principles involved in col- 40 loidal reactions, heretofore unrecognized, but

which have to do with the time lag in such reactions, the production of a condition in colloids analogous to the nascent state of certain elements, and the stabilization of such colloids. I have discovered that it is possible to utilize these principles to accomplish dispersions directly into products of colloidal form at speeds which avoid normalreactions, such, for example, as coagulations, and produce products having novel charac- 50 teristics, some of which are hereinafter specifically mentioned. It is my object to provide a method and apparatus for utilizing these discoveries for the production and stabilization of colloids, and .to expedite chemical reactions, to produce new substances and substances having novel charac- 5 teristics, to reduce the expense of producing ordinary colloids, and to make such results attainable in general commercial practice.

This application is a continuation in part of my former application, Serial Number 592,053, 10 filed February 10, 1932, for Dispersing methods and apparatus, my object being to include additional disclosures.

I find that the process of dispersion hereinafter described may be so controlled as to produce valuable results in sterilization and in deodorizing, particularly of materials cotaining fats and oils.

The extreme dispersive effects producible by high velocity steam jets applied under the conditions hereinafter specified have a practically parallel effect in destroying of bacterial cells, so that a fluid material subjected to the dispersive treatment hereinafter described is at the same time sterilized with a high degree of efficiency.

Food materials containing fats or oils may be effectively deodorized or purified by subjection to the dispersive effect of high .velocity steam. The primary requirement for efiicient deodorizing for materials containing fats and oils is that the fat or oil be dispersed to a high degree in order tofacilitate removal of volatile flavors and odors. It has long been known that the spraying of a fatty material in the presence of steam has a distinct deodorizing effect upon the fat, even when the velocity of the spray or discharge is relatively low. It has heretofore been necessary to subject fatty emulsions, such as cream, to an extreme amount of steam distillation by way of discharge from a higher temperature into a vacuum, whereby the moderate velocity and simultaneous evaporation of water bring about deodorizing. I have found that the process for producing extreme dispersions by means of high velocity steam has the efiect of deodorizing fatty materials without discharge to vacuum due to the fact that the fat globules are dispersed to such a high degree 'that the surfaces exposed become relatively much greater and the deodorizing is accomplished much more rapidly:

The advantages of this accelerated deodorizing over vacuum deodorizing as heretofore carried out are primarily simplicity of apparatus, elimination of large and expensive vacuum equipment, and to the accomplishment of sterilization, homogenizing, or dispersion and sterilization simultaneously and with the same apparatus.

- In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a conventional view, in plan, illustrating my apparatus in its preferred form.

Figure 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of the dispersing chamber.

Figure 3 is a cross section drawn on line 3-8 02 Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a vertical sectional view of the separating chamber.

Figure 5 is a sectional view iillustrating a modifled form of the dispersing chamber shown in Figure 2.

Like parts are identified by the same reference characters throughout the several views.

I have discovered that by adiabatically expanding steam or other elastic fluids in an expansion nozzle of certain continuously varying crass sect'ional area and then delivering it into a measured quantity of liquid or liquiform=material of properly proportionate weight, the delivery oi the liquid and of said fluid being continuous and both being at approximately the same temperature at the point of contact, the kinetic energy of the steam can be utilized to a maximum degree. The velocity of steam under such conditions may be calculated as follows:

' H2 is the B. t. u. contained in the steam after adiabatic expansion at constant entropy, as determined from a Moiller diagram.

For example, for saturated steam at 200 lbs.

gauge pressure, Hi=1200 B. t. 11.

2 1m. adiabatically to 10 lbs. gauge pressure, H2=1020 B. t. u.

V=3000 it per second.

Thus, B. t. u. are converted into velocity, a totally difierent result from that resulting from simple expansion.

The term adiabatic expansion is used in its generally accepted sense and in recognition of the fact that during expansion in either a nozzle or a cylinder there may be a slight loss of beat by conduction through the wall to a lower'extemal temperature, or a slight addition of heat if the external temperature is higher. In the structure illustrated in the drawings hereof such variation in temperature is negligible, substantially no heat being added or'reiected, and the drop in temperature being directly proportional to the expansion in the norzle, i. e., the variation in temperature is inversely proportional to variation in volume.

It the steam is allowed to change'temperature by condensing while heating an incoming liquid, the first efiect is to convert the 180 B. t. u. equivalent back into heat with consequent loss of velocity, since the velocity is dependent'solely on the kinetic equivalent of the 180 B. t. u. and no velocity is acquired from any of the remaining 1020 B. t. u. In ordinary emulsifiers, none 0 the hustle energy coent been so i since the steam was mostly or entirely conde Hf I flnd that if liquid having the same temperature as the outgoing steam is continuously delivered into the path of ha-such velocity, the liquid delivery being in the proportion of about four by weight of liquid to t which in the above exaone part by weight of steam, the kinetic energy remains efiective as velocity energy and except for friction l a resultant velocity of liquid and steam may be calculated as follows:

E= VzMW E=mnetic energy M=total moving mass 'V=veloclty in ft. per second theta unit ht of steam, 1 flowing per second, then its energy,

1b., is

It the moving mass is enlarged by addition oi 4 lbs. per sec. of hot liquid, E remains constant, but V as follows:

Since 2E remains constant, the resultant ve- 3000 Q/T= 1340 ft. D91 8813.

Actually, friction losses account for about 15% 'ot the energy so that the resultant velocity isslightly less. But it is evident that velocities are obtainable which are tar above those attainable mechanically, or by means of condensing, jets.

The outgoing steam temperature and pressure, ea: 1.66, to be 240 degrees F. and 10.1bs. gauge, may be controlled at any desired point above or below the atmosphere by setting a suitable relief valve.

The temperature selected depends entirely on the chemical changes to be produced and the fluidity of-thematerials.

My invention contemplates the utilization oi. the velocities thus attainable to obtain shearing, abrading and impacting eflects suitable to accomplish dispersion for various purposes, including among others the following:

1. Creating emulsions and homogenizing. 2. Disperslng liqulflable or entrained dispersible solids to the colloidal state. '3. Forcing the adsorption of dissolved colloids upon solid 3" t i cles or globules.

4. Redispersing coagulable substances into new 8. Production of amorphous orcolloidal precipitates where crystalline or granular precipltates would ordinarily lie-produced.

' 9. Destruction presumably by disruption of organic cells. 10. Deodorizing of fatty and oil emulsions by means of dispersion or subdivision or the particlesto a high degree in the presence of moving steam.

7 My invention will now be describfi with reference to the treatment of liquiform materials, the term "liquiiorm" 1i; intended to include be such as to avoid excessive friction loss.

' the two extremes all fluids, whether liquid or gaseous, and solids entrained therein or capable of being conveyed or fed in measured quantities for the purposes of dispersion in general correspondence to the methods employed for conveying and for dispersing liquids.

In the following detailed description of the improved method it will be assumed that steam is to be utilized as the dispersing agent. The desired initial pressure of the steam will be determined, at least in many instances, by the degree of dispersion desired. Steam at the selected pressure is passed through an expanding nozzle (or for large scale production through a multiple series of expanding nozzles). To develop the kinetic energy of the steam, -each nozzle will havea continuously varying cross sectional area, preferably a conical enlargement, and each steam nozzle will preferably be made sufllciently small to allow substantially all of the steam to be available ior imparting its energy to the liquid in the immediate vicinity of the nozzle outlet. On the other hand, the size of each steam nozzle should A nozzle having an inlet of approximately .05 inch in diameter to .10 inch in diameter will be found suitable as representing a nozzle size which avoids above indicated, and utilizes the energy of the steam to good advantage for the purposes herein stated.

The expansion nozzles, and also the passages within which the desired velocity of the liquid is to be developed, will vary in size at the inlet, in progressive cross sectional area and in length, in accordance with the requirements for each installation or for the working conditions imposed by the character of the material and the result sought. The dimensions will be determined in each instance in accordance with the definite mathematical laws governing the flow oi! steam. In general the expansion nozzle will be similar in form to those employedin high speed turbines.

Steam passing through these nozzles is delivered into a flowing stream of liquid or a liquid having entrained solids. For many purposes the total weight of the liquid may be equal to approximately four times the weight of the steam. The particles of materialwill be initially impacted, sheared, or abraded by the particlesof steam, and by confining the material in a passage, it may be driven by the steam through such passage at the maximum be imparted to it under the stated conditions, viz,-at a velocity equal to about one half that of the steam at the steam nozzle outlet.

By, delivering this rapidly moving material against a relatively stationary body of unyielding material, such as a fixed impact receiving metal plate (Figure 5), or by delivering the material against particles of other materialdriven in a different oropposing direction (Figure 2), impacts of extreme violence will occur and the desired degree of dispersion will be accomplished.

It will be understood that the dispersed material should immediately be removed or drained away from the space in which the impacts occur. The vapor should also be withdrawn or allowed to escape to the atmosphere at a rate permitting the temperature and pressure to be kept equal to that of the entering liquid.

In carrying out the above described method I may employ the apparatus illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which the dispersion chamber is illustrated in Figures 2 and 3 and in modified form in Fig. 5. This dispersion chamspeed that can chamber, the agencies being adapted for handling liquiform material.

her will first be described, after which its relation to the associated apparatus conventionally illustrated in Figure 1 will be explained.

In Figure 1 asteam supply pipe l0 has branch connections H for delivery of steam (elastic fluid) to sets of expansion nozzles l2 (Figures 2 and 3) located inthe respective end portions of a dispersing chamber 13, the steam being received in each end cavity 14 for distribution to the associated nozzles.

At each end 0! the dispersing chamber l3 shown in Figure '2 the steam is adiabatically expanded in the nozzles l2 and delivered into axially aligned nozzles H, which also receive the material to be dispersed from a cavity i8. Such material is being continuously supplied to the cavity i8 as hereinafter explained.

The nozzles II are spaced irom the'nozzles l2 sufficiently to allow material from the cavity iii to be entrained and carried by the steam through the nozzles II with slight aspiration and no condensation, the temperature being equalized. The nozzles I! are preferably conically enlarged in the direction of their outlets to reduce loss by friction to a minimum.

The material is driven through the nozzles i1 into a receiving cavity 20, within which it is impacted against material coming from the axially aligned nozzles II of the set at the oppos'ite end of the dispersing chamber I3. The maat velocities determined by the combined velocities of the opposing jets. The dispersed material is permitted to pass continuously through an outlet 21, its flow being regulated, as hereinafter explained, for the purpose of regulating the pressure and temperature in the receiving cavity 20. In the slightly modified structure illustrated in Figure 5, the dispersing chamber l3a has a set of nozzles Na and I'Ia at one end thereof which correspond in form and arrangement with the nozzles l2 and associated nozzles II in Figure 2. But in the structure shown in Figure 5 the nozzles lla deliver the material against a fixed impacting plate 23,,which may constitute the opposing end wall of the receiving cavity 20a, said wall being located on the opposite side of the passage 21a from the occupied by the nozzles.

In Figure 1 it will be observed that the material may be continuously prepared for dispersion and delivery to the cavities l8 or the dispersing illustrated in Figure 1 They comprise a motor 30, pump 3|, heater 34, and a heat regulating chamber 35 which may also serve as a separator for the release of air and surplus vapor.

The motor 30 is indicated as an electric motor, directly connected with the pump 3|. The latter receives the material from a supply duct 32 and delivers it through the duct 33 to a heater 34, preferably a tubular heater of that type in which pipes or tubes 33 connect and cavities 31 and in which the space between the tubes 36 is continuously supplied with a circulating heating fluid. The heating fluid may be supplied from the pipe In through the duct 33, and allowed to escape through an outlet or to a return duct 39.

The material passes from the heater 34 through a duct 40 into the regulating chamber 35, splashing being prevented by a tangentially connected inverted cup 41 of ordinary type, and from the bottom portion of this heat regulating chamber air line ll provided with a pressure 05 the material passes the float controlled valve 52 (Figure 4) to the duct as which conveys it to the associated cavity it in the dispersing chamher it.

The similar cavity it at the other end of the dispersing chamber will preferably be independently supplied through connections similar to those above described, thus adapting the appsratus for simultaneous delivery oi like material to be merely dispersed in the dispersing chamber of difierent materials to be delivered to the respective ends of the dispersing'chamber for dispersion and recombination within the cavity 20.

To obtain accurate temperature and pressure control the heat regulating chamber has its upper portion provided with an outlet duct '34 for the escape of air and vapor, the flow of whichis controlled by a temperature regulated valve 45. This valve may be automatically adjusted by a diaphragm in the diaphragm chamber 60 on an controlled by a control bulb d9 exposed to the through motors 30 will disruption or temperature in the chamber 85. Like equipment may be employed to adjust a valve 65 to regulate the supply of heating fluid delivered to the chamber 34 through the pipe 80. If the supply of steam in the pipe i0 should fail, the circuits be automatically interrupted by a mercoid switch 51 connected by a duct 58 with the pipe 80.

The material dispersed in the receiving cavity 20 of the dispersing chamber It is conveyed by duct 21 to a vapor separating chamber t0 s milar in construction to the chamber 35. The excess vapor passes through the outlet duct 6!, its flow being regulated by a valve 62 in the same manner as above described with reference to the valve associated with the separating chamber 35. The separating chamber is provided with a float controlled bottom valve 412 like that shown in Figure 4, whereby the material is allowed to pass through a duct be to a vacuum chamber 66 equipped with a suction duct 68 at its upper end and a draw-0d pipe 61 at its lower end, which may be connected with a motor The general organization of the maybe assumed to be similar to the chamber shown in Figure 4, with the float controlled valve 62 at the bottom outlet.

In the use of-the described apparatus, assuming that sumcient water will be present in the material to absorb the heat, it will be evident that the the dispersion of the material will continue until the energy represented by the heat generated by such disruption equals the kinetic energy carried, since there is no disruption way except by friction .losses in which this energy can be dissipated. .With a proportion of liquiform material to steam at approximately 4 to 1, about 80% of the kinetic energy can be transferred to such material without change of temperature Assuming an initial steam pressure of 200 lbs. per square inch and a reaction temperature of 240 F. and 10 lbs. gauge, the velocity of the liquiform material entering the receiving chamber will be approximately equivalent to the obtainable by a hydrostatic head of 28,000 feet,

or a pressure of 11,500 lbs. per square inch. So

far as I am aware, this is a working condition heretofore entirely unknown.

The selection of material for each portion of the apparatus is important, the use of common metals being in general entirely unsuitable. The entire apparatus should be constructed of material which is inactive or inert when brought in regulator d8 v as heretofore made,

The interior of the receiving chamber is subjected to great abrasion, and any tendency. toward chemical corrosion is so accentuated under the high velocities attained as to bring about the quick corrosion and disintegration of any susceptible metal.

For liquids which are not corrosive, nitrided steel is satisfactory, this being substantially the hardest metal known. It is particularly suitable for the nozzles and for the receiving chamber in cases where solid particles are carried in theliquid.

Apparatus employed for liquids which are acid or chemically corrosive should be formed of extrmely hard nickel-chromium alloys, since few chemicals other than hydrochloric acid will cause their corrosion or disintegration. For many liquids the cobalt-tungsten alloy, Stellite, will be .io'und suitable.

In the treatment of organic substances, oxidation catalysts must be carefully avoided, since all chemical reactions are accelerated in the anparatus far beyond their normal rate.

The pumps should also be made of hard corrosion resistant metal in order to avoid wear and maintain the desired close limits of tolerance, whereby such pumps may operate continuously as metering pumps, the maintenance of any predetermined velocity being dependent, in part, upon the continued delivery of the required proportionate weight of material.

The pumps will preferably be driven by a synchronous motor as indicated at 21 so that there will be no slippage in motor or powertransmitting mechanism. In this respect, the apparatus diflers from those involving the use of a gravity or equivalent pressure head with or without a valve to regulate delivery.

By metering the supply, surging may be avoided. such as would otherwise overload the nozzle in a manner to start condensation. When condensation commences, the suction increases and causes a still more rapid flow with additional lowering of temperature. Much of the otherwise available kinetic energy will then be lost, thus making impossible either the attainment of the required velocity or the maintenance of a predetermined velocity.

But since it is an object oi my process to impart maximum kinetic energy to liquids or suspensions, or to impart a desired degree of kinetic energy with minimum loss under the conditions of controlled temperature, and since the kinetic energy carried by matterin motion varies as the square of the velocity,'condensation of the steam or other vapor prior to delivery of the material into the dispersing chamber should be avoided.

With the incoming liquid in thermal equilibrium with the outgoing, even a mere steam injector will not functionas such, for it begins to exert its suction upon the liquid only when the liquid is.colder than the steam. Steam emulsifiers, utilized the suction of the steam Jets to draw in and feed the liquid, and such a condition does not develop or retain the energy of motion, which is the useful component of the total energy of steam flow.

Nearly all of the useful working temperatures are either higher or lower than the boiling point and, therefore, for the reasons above explained, there should be positive mechanical flow control. After the incoming material has once been metered, it is then possible to release air, surplus vapor, and regulate the temperature precisely as is done in the chamber 35 as an aid in the maintenance of the desired continuous balance and maintenance of the exact pressure and temperature requirements.

Steam pressures employed in the various adaptations of this process vary over a large range in accordance with the purposes to be accomplished and the materials being treated. It is possible to obtain enormous velocities of steam with relatively low initial pressures, provided the dischargeof the nozzles is directly into a still lower pressure; that is, a partial vacuum. It is possible to control the temperature of the impinging steam within practically any range desired from about 40F. to the maximum temperatures attainable by steam boilers. If materials being treated require treatment in a low range of temperature, that temperature is maintained by proper control of the absolute temperature at the point of discharge of the steam. The absolute pressure of the steam before its expansion in a nozzle, and the temperature into which it is discharged after expansion determine the velocity which it will attain. The following examples of practical working ranges of initial pres sures and discharge pressures or temperatures will-aid in understanding the selection of working pressure and temperature ranges. For accomplishing sterilization and dispersion in a food product it is generally'necessary that the expanded pressure of the steam jet be such as to maintain a relatively high temperature at the point of expansion; for example, 260 to 270.

' The initial pressure of the steam need not be excessive for accomplishing dispersion of most food materials. A gauge pressure of 50 pounds, for example, is suflicient in many cases to supply the velocity and kinetic energy required. Higher gauge pressures may be used for greater dispersive effect, as wanted.

For producing chemical precipitates of organic compounds which are sensitive to heat, it may be necessary to work with expansion temperatures well below the normal boiling point of water, supplying at the same time such initial pressure as may be required to accomplish the dispersion. Where the discharge is into a partial vacuum for the purpose of maintaining a lower discharge temperature, very high velocities may be attained from ordinary boiler pressure, as, for example, 100 pounds per square inch. For accomplishing sterilization and deodorizing of such materials as cream, the discharge temperature of the expanded iets may be at approximately the normal boiling point of water, thus avoiding subjecting the fatty material to a high temperature and at the same time avoiding the ne- 'cessity for means of maintaining a vacuum at the point of discharge.

For deodorizing of most edible fats and oils in the form of emulsions it' is not necessary to use initial pressures above the range of ordinary boiler pressure, or 50 pounds to 100 pounds gauge pressure. Extreme dispersion of fluid 'fats and oils is readily accomplished by moderate pressures when the steam is expanded in properly constructed nozzles.

I have found that in accomplishing sterilization and in accomplishing the completion of some chemical reactions it is advantageous to prolong the time interval of exposure to a. selected temperature beyond the very brief period of exposure in the nozzles and at the point of impact. If the atomized liquid and expanded steam are allowed to escape immediately from the point of impact, the high velocity necessary makes the time of exposure to the selected temperature immeasurably brief. Ihave found that the time interval of temperature maintenance of p a selected temperature may be controlled by discharging the steam and atomized liquids into a baflled tube so that instead of leaving the reaction chamber instantaneously, the liquids may be maintained at the temperature of reaction for a selected number of seconds thereafter, which in many-cases is advantageous in completing chemical reactions and in completing sterilization. The addition of a baiile tube of selected length is an advantageous improvement to the dispersion apparatus as a means of controlling the time interval of exposure to temperature.

When the steam is applied at the described velocities to substances in solution which are ordinarily coagulable or precipitable by heat, new results are obtained. Albuminous solutions are typical of this class.

During the short interval required for passage of a particle through the jets; the molecules of albuminous substances are apparently split or broken up and they or their cpmponents exist in a state analogous to the nascent state of an element.

When an albuminous solution is treated by the described method, it does not coagulate due to the heat, even though it be heated to at least 100 F. above its coagulation point. It remains in colloidal solution, since the time interval required for a molecule of albumin to go through the chemical change of coagulation is less than the time interval required for its passage through the Jets.

If an oil or other non-miscible substance is impacted against opposing Jet streams carrying the water solution of albuminous colloids, the albumin will not coagulate but will combine with the oil substantially at the points of impact.

Any excess of albumin beyond that which can be adsorbed, remains in colloidal solution instead of coagulating as it does when treated by a simple steam Jet. Adsorption may thus be produced without the usual clotting and coagulation around the fat globules, the adsorbed material being not only difierent in kind but considerably increased in quantity.

If two diflerent colloids capable of chemical reaction with each other to produce a precipitate are respectively fed in solution through different nozzles and the equilibrium temperature maintained high enough to produce reaction, they will react instantaneously, but instead of precipitating, the new substance will remain as a true colloidal solution of a substance ordinarily regarded as insoluble.

structure shown in Figure 5 different materials may be simultaneously impacted and dispersed in the presence of each other by using some of the nozzles for one purpose and some for another. The expression, opposing jets, as herein used is, therefore, to be understood as including any means whereby different materials may be impacted in such a manner as to commingle their. dispersed particles.

If two precipitant solutions of non colloidal nature are fed through different jet streams, one of the solutions carrying a small amount of some protective colloid, in addition to the solute, an unusual result is obtained. The chemical reaction is produced at the point of impact but due .to the velocity, the new compound has no opportunity to change to the form of a precipitate. To form a precipitate, either crystalline or gelatinous, a certain time interval is required for the molecules to move into combination. On account of the instantaneous reaction, they are dispersed as formed. They would subsequently undergo the usual transformation into a visible precipitate in the absence of a protective colloid. But, in the presence of a small proportion of a protective colloid, adsorption takes place before the new compound exceeds colloidal size in its attempt to agglutinate. 7

Thus, many inorganic or crystalline substances may be produced in colloidal solution, including paint pigments and similar materials heretofore made by simple chemical precipitation and mechanical grinding.

I am aware of the fact that by using mechanical agitation it is possible in some instances to bring about a retention in colloidal solution of substancesthatwouldotherwiseprecipitate. Butsuch results have heretofore been limited to a very few compounds in which rate of agglutination is slow, and even as to those compounds such methods are not always available for commercial pumoses,

partly because of the expense, the difficulty of obtaining uniform results, and also because excessive amounts of protective colloid are ordinarily required. For example, silver chloride may be retained as a colloidal solution by mixing dilute silver nitrate and a soluble chloride in an albumin solution.

- This reaction has been regarded as a scientific curiosity, and has no practical use; but, by the method I have described, this same basic principle 'is applicable. not only to the production of a colloidal silver chloride but of many other useful small amounts of the pro compounds, and very tective colloid are required.

The method which I have described is applicable to production of colloids of all kinds, whose rate of-agglutinatidn does not exceed a certain limit imposed bythe time required for dispersion and for such protective colloidal adsorption as may be required to forestall agglutination. The chemical reaction must be producible in the presence of steam or equivalent vapor or other elastic fluid, and within the working range of temperature which is practicable. Practically all precipitant solutions which have heretofore been reacted in the cold or at steam temperatures, are

I adaptable to the described process. The practical range of reaction temperatures for steam is readily variable from about 70 degrees F. to about 300 degrees F. Higher temperatures could be utilized but at present are not required for any commercial use.

In each operation the reaction temperature is selected 'with reference to the requirement for the desired treatment of the material in question and the purpose of the treatment.

For example, if it is desired to emulsify an oil into a liquid, the temperature must be above the melting point of the oil and beneath that at which the protective colloid will be damaged. If this temperature isless than the boiling point. then the discharge must be connected to a vacuum receiver. Vacuum receivers will preferably be used when treating food products. The degree of vacuum in the reaction chamber may, of course, be controlled by the pressure control valve between the reaction chamber and the vacuum receiver.

I claim:

l. A method of dispersion consisting in adiabatically expanding a jet of elastic fluid at substantially constant entropy to develop its kinetic energy, transferring the available portion of such energy to a stream of a mixture of dispersible material and an emulsifying medium having, at the point of contact therewith substantially the temperature of the elastic fluid and of predetermined weight proportions, whereby to impel the same at a high velocity, and then subjecting the material to impacts while under the acquired momentum;

2. A method of dispersion consisting in adiabatically expanding a jet of elastic fluid at substantially constant entropy to develop its kinetic energy, transferring an available portion of such energy to a stream of a mixture of dispersible weight proportions, impacting said material while under its acquired momentum to disperse the same and reconvert its kinetic energy into heat, and simultaneously withdrawing heat units from the dispersed material to maintain a constant temperature.

3. A method of dispersion and recombination consisting in adiabatically expanding jets of elastic fluid at substantially constant entropy to develop the kinetic energy of said jets, transferring an available portion of the kinetic energy of the respective jets to streams of a mixture of dispersible material and an emulsifying medium of substantially the temperature of the elastic fluid at the point of such transfer and of predetermined weight proportions, whereby to impel said materials into impactive contacts at predetermined velocities, to disperse the same in the presence of each other.

4. A method of dispersion and recombination consisting in adiabatically expanding jets of elastic fluid at substantially constant entropyto develop the kinetic energy of said jets, transferring an available portion of the kinetic energy of the respective jets to impel streams of a mixture of dispersible material and an emulsifying medium of substantially the temperature of the impelling jets at the point of theincontact with the material and of predetermined weight proportions, impacting said materials while under the acquired momentum to disperse the same in the presence of each other and continuously withdrawing the dispersed material and elastic fluid I medium havina mbstantially the metemperatm'eatthepointoijetcontact, pro] said material in jet form and subjecting it to motion impacts. I

8. That step in a method ofdisperslon consistin; in continuously expanding a jet of elastic iiuid without material loss oi energy and deliveringitintoaietoivmaterialoiamixtum at e material and an emulsifying agent-having substantiallythesame temperature whereby condensation is avoided and-maximum compatible with utilisation of the-kinetic energy oi thesteam 'Lamethodoi inadiabatically expanding a jet of ehstic fluid at tlally constant entr py withinarangeoisterilimnstemperaturetodevelopitslrineticenerswimpartins an equivalent to a predetermined weisht FY 9 then tion oi liquiiorm material to be transferring an available portion of said kinetic energytosaidmaterial toimpelthesameatvelocities'abovethose'obtainableby mechanical meanaandtbensubiectinstbematerlaltoimpactswhileundertheacquired temperature and momentum to obtain a degree of dispersion ineontinuance of life.

8. Amethodufliquiiormmaterial.

Patent No. 2,127,o26;

"vaguely- 1-? f liquifonn material,

Certificate of Correction GEORGE E. GRINDROD thaterror-appearsinthep numbered patent correction as iollows: Page 2,

in adiabatically expanding a jet of steam at substantially constant entropy. impartin; to a liquitorm temperature substantially equal to that of the steam soexpanded. transferring an available portion of the energy of the steam to such liquiiorm material to impel the same at high velocity and subjecting such material to impactswhile at the acquired temperature and under the acquired momentum.

9. a method -of simultaneously and inexpensively sterilizing and deodorizing liquiiorm material consisting in adiabatically expanding a jet of steam at constant entropy within a range of kinetic energy, imparting" to a predetermined weight proportion oi liquiiorm material a temperature substantially equal to that of the expmded steam prior to contact with the steam, transferring a suilicient portion of the available energy of the steam to said material to irfipart thereto a velocity in excess of that obtainable by mechanical means and then subjecting said material to dispersin impactsvand abrasion to develop a degree of dispersion productive of substantially instant dispersion, sterilization, and release of odorousgases.

GEORGE E. GRINDROD.

' ted specification pf the a ve second-column, hne 20, for

that the said Letters Patent should belread with this correction therein that the same may conform to the record of tho case in the Patent Oflice.

Signed d 1st day of November, 1938.

e Henry Vanj Ar sdale' Commissioner of Patents.

material to be deodorized asterilizing temperature to develop 

